Page 11 - The Messiah in the Appointed Times Primer

First Fruits
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The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The First Fruits of
the Resurrection

Clearly, there is perfect alignment
between Israel rising alive from the
sea and Jesus rising alive from the
grave at dawn on First Fruits. So, let’s
explore the meaning of first fruits,
since the meaning of the Appointed
Times belongs to Christ.
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When the people of Israel brought
their first fruits offerings to the Lord, they were bringing the first of their
produce to Him with the expectation that He would bless them with additional
produce. This is the essence of first fruits: a gift, acknowledging that which
has already been given, accompanied by an expectation that more will come.
In the context of the resurrection of the dead, the Apostle Paul tells us, “But
now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are
asleep.” Indeed, in His resurrection, Jesus is the first of many who will be
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raised from the dead. He is the first fruits and those who call on His name will
be the fruits that follow.

A few verses later, Paul further clarifies that Jesus is the first of those who
have been redeemed. “But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits,
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after that those who are Christ’s at His coming…” When we celebrate
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on First Fruits, we can also celebrate the
expectation and hope of our own resurrection from the dead on that great
day to come! 30

Through the atoning blood of Jesus, we have eternal redemption; through His
resurrection, we have the magnificent hope that we will also be raised from
the dead to live with Him as immortals forever!
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